Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Well the last two days Anne and I have been "iced in" here at the farm. It started Monday night and it hasn't stopped since then. We have both said earlier how much we hate the cold weather. I dont mind a bit of snow but I hate ice and the farm is literally covered in ice. Now, it has been snowing for about an hour, so we have snow, then ice, now more snow. I know I said earlier this week, LET IT SNOW...I am now taking that back. BRING ON SPRING. The horses enjoyed the snow, but they hate the ice. They have been tucked in their stalls alot these last couple of days. Enjoy the pics.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Leigh and I have had a few hectic and busy weekends lately, so we wanted to take this weekend to just be… and do the things we wanted to do. We were lucky enough, that we got to do just that!! Friday night we spent time with our wonderful friend Hilori and we always enjoy spending time with her. Saturday morning, Leigh and I got up and took care of our horses, and ventured to Lexington for a morning with friends. We went to Stephanies apartment and curled up with wonderful coffee, awesome Spaldings donuts (I know, not on the diet, but so worth it) and beautiful friends. Emily joined us and we had such a great time. We watched the CMT countdown, we sang, we talked about summer, we discussed goals, we talked about politics, but most of all we LAUGHED. I cant think of a better way to spend a winter morning, than laughing with friends over hot coffee. Leigh took her crocheting with her, and worked on that all morning, while we were there, and she is almost done with the scarf she is working on. It is going to be so nice, and it looks great, for the first time back crocheting in about 20 years.

We had to run many errands that afternoon, while in Lexington, but we got home right before dark to take care of the horses, and then enjoyed a night in. We got up this morning and did our usual errands, to go and get grain, hay, and shavings to get everything set up for the week. Then we enjoyed our day, reading, relaxing and watching it snow. Leigh caught up on some National Geographic magazines she hadn’t read, and I finished the book I have been working on and moved on to a new one I got yesterday.

It has been a perfect weekend for us to reset and get ready for the work week. It was nice to have a weekend to just be.. and get to catch up with friends!!!

Monday, January 19, 2009

This weekend Anne and I got to do something that should have taken place 9 years ago.I was very fortunate to actually run in to one of my father's close friends a while back. This man was a very close friend of my father and had shared in an experience 9 years ago that would turn out to bring Anne and I a lot of grief. See, this man was part of a small group of my father's friends that spread his ashes after his passing. Anne and I were not aware that his ashes had been spread till at least 6 weeks after it took place. We were not invited or told that any of this had taken place. Neither was my father's mother. Can' you imagine? I can't begin to tell you the devastation this brought to both of us. When I learned of this, I can honestly tell you that I was heartbroken as was my sister. I hope that no one ever has to experience some of the things that Anne and I have experienced in our life, however we have both learned you just have to move on, but this was one act that we have had a really hard time moving on from. After this man and I talked it was very apparent that there was a LOT of miscommunication in what I had been told by people that were supposed to be my family. So sad. So very, very sad. It is hard to even imagine how people that are supposed to LOVE you can never even think of your feelings,and partake in a very selfish act. I will never understand it. So................this weekend, Anne and I were invited to learn the true story, the actual FACTS that took place almost 9 years ago. Anne and I will forever be grateful to this person that gave us pictures of our father that we had no idea even existed and shared with us what TRULY happened the day that my father was actually laid to rest. It was a very calming experience and one that I will always treasure. It was wonderful to be with people that truly did love my father. So after this experience and after all the feelings that we have felt for 9 years, here is the lesson that is learned folks. There are people in this world that truly have no clue what it means to LOVE someone and to want the best for people. In the past I would be angry and mad and wouldn't be able to let it go, and there will still be times like that, because you never forget, however knowing that I know this isn't about them, because they in my mind don't know what it means to think of others, I am thankful for the people that do. I am now just sad, sad that their actions let the most important person down, and that was my father. My father was the one that was let down the most. That saddens me. So what I have learned from this process as cliche as it may sound...treat people how you want to be treated. Remember that your words and your actions may truly change someones life for the better or for the worst. Actions that took place 9 years ago brought so much grief to Anne and I, actions that weren't necessary, but selfish, however the actions that took place this weekend brought us such joy and restored in us the goodness in people, and has also built a lasting friendship, one that we are both very thankful to have. There are many wonderful people in this world, and my father had many surrounding him, that we are fortunate to have in our lives. We love you dad!!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

2009 has rocked so far! Anne and I have spent lots of time working out and hanging with our friends as well as reading and cooking. We spent last weekend with our friends Amy and Chuck. I told Amy earlier this week that she is good for my soul. I know Anne and I both feel so blessed to have them both in our lives. They are both such super postive people that just radiate happiness. Even when life throws them some curve balls they still keep their chin up! I love being around them and when I leave their company I always feel rejuvenated and happy. That is how friends should be! We also got to see our friend Brooke. Brooke lives in Bowling Green and is a childhood friend of Amy's. I got to meet Brooke when we all met up at Murray State. It was so great to see her and catch up. She is still as lively and gorgeous as ever! It was a great weekend! I am currently doing a lot of reading, which is one of the things I like about this time of year. I am reading "Awakening the Buddha Within" By Lama Surya Das, "Marley and Me" by John Grogan and "40 Years Gatherin" by Spike Van Cleve. They are all great books and all very different. I hate the winter and the cold weather but I am glad that it does give us the time to sit down, slow down, read, breathe and center our lives a bit.

Anne and I have both been working out everyday. Chuck actually turned us on to the workout program P90X and we are on our 10th day. Chuck completed this workout last year and is doing it again. He looks GREAT!! We have really enjoyed it and I can already tell I am getting stronger. I am pumped to check my results after 30,60 and 90 days!

Anne and I also signed up for a barrel racing clinic in March. We are so stoked about that! I can't wait to kick off the season and we can't think of a better way to do it! Oh, and we planned our trip for Colorado. We are pumped about getting out there and hanging out with Mark, Colleen, Chase and Caitlyn. Colleen and Mark have a slew of horses right now, so I can imagine they are going to keep Anne and I pretty busy. They are also good for the soul!

I guess that is about all that is going on here around TwinBay. The weather has been very cold these last couple of days and I can tell you that I am sick of busting ice at the barn. One of the water tanks had about 3 inches of ice on it this morning. It took me a while to get that busted up. By the time I was done and walked back to the house, my entire jacket had already froze. I am sorry, but that is just TOO DAMN COLD! The older I get the more I long to live somewhere that has warm weather year round.

I hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying this chilly January. I gotta tell ya, I can't wait till spring!!!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Well so far 2009 is off to a great start! Leigh and I decided to put a title on our year, and it is all about HAVING FUN! We are committed to making this year one of the best yet. Last year was a good year, but we got busy and distracted with things, and this year we are concentrating on just having fun and enjoying life. We have some great trips planned this year, and if all works out, we hope to get to experience all of them. We love our yearly trip to CO, to see our wonderful friends Mark and Colleen and we hope to get to go again this year. We are also planning a beach vacation, either to NC, or somewhere more south. Leigh has some great trips planned for work this year, and will be in Las Vegas during the NFR in December, and I hope to get to fly out and enjoy that as well. We have lots of weekend trips planned too; we hope to get to Murray, Ashville, and of course a weekend in Nashville at some point.

We are already starting to get our horses back in shape and are ready for a great year on the road with them!! This is their year, and we cant wait to get back in the arena!!!

Leigh and I are heading off to Bowling Green this weekend, to see our awesome friends Amy and Chuck! Chuck is the one that introduced Leigh and I to P90x, the workout program, and Leigh and I started it on Monday and Chuck is also on round two as well, so we are each other’s little support group.

Leigh and I have been very lucky to have reconnected with some old friends lately. They have really brought joy into our lives, and we are so excited about spending time with them in 09!

Here is a pic from the Appalachian Trail, we hope to get back on it at some point this year!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

It has been a while since we have posted, so I thought I would catch everyone up. We had a wonderful holiday season. Christmas Eve, Leigh and I baked cookies for our neighbors, and enjoyed our day with our mother. She arrived around noon, and we had such a wonderful day with her. We watched movies, and made sausage balls, and just laughed and enjoyed our time together. Christmas morning, we got up and took care of the horses and started cooking. Unfortunately, our brother Robbie, his wife Sarah and there precious little boy, Thomas Wyatt were all sick so they didn’t get to attend Christmas this year. We made the best of it, and cooked a great meal. We had ham, cheese garlic grits, mashed potatoes, barley casserole, green beans, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, and rolls! It was an amazing meal. To top it off, we had my mothers homemade Jam Cake for dessert, along with many other goodies. Our friend Hilori joined us for lunch, and my mothers boyfriend Bob came as well. We all enjoyed our Christmas together.

Leigh and I gave ourselves a Christmas gift of having a water line put in at the barn!! It was finished this week, and it was the best gift EVER!! I cant explain how nice it is to have water at the barn, and not have to carry water buckets! It has been so nice, and makes our time at the barn much easier.

For New Years Eve, Leigh and I went to our friends Whitney and Cavans. We have spent many NYE’s together in the past, and always have a wonderful time. They cooked an amazing seafood spread and we just ate, and drank, and enjoyed our time together. It was a great way to bring in the new year!!

The new year is always a time of reflection and I don’t believe in resolutions, but I think it is a wonderful time to set goals! We have many goals set for this year and we are both so excited to see them accomplished!

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About Me

Anne - I love to be outside and see new things, also really enjoy traveling, and I am very blessed to have many wonderful friends and family, and I absolutely enjoy their company. Love to sit on my deck and have a cold beer, with great conversation. I love to be at the barn with my horses, and enjoy the quiet time in the mornings, when you can hear the birds chirping and the horses moving in their stalls.
Leigh-I have a wonderful life. I love the outdoors and being with nature. My animls and my friends and family are my first passion. If I am not out riding, running, or hanging with friends then you can find me curled up with a good book some where. Life is grand, life is grand.